This story is from January 10, 2020

Don’t bring religion into citizenship: Bishop Rev Peter Machado

The archbishop of Bangalore, Rev Peter Machado, on Thursday urged the Centre to initiate a dialogue with those opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
Don’t bring religion into citizenship: Bishop Rev Peter Machado
Archbishop Rev Peter Machado with the memorandum he sent to the President of India and the Prime Minister
BENGALURU: The archbishop of Bangalore, Rev Peter Machado, on Thursday urged the Centre to initiate a dialogue with those opposing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
In a memorandum to the President and Prime Minister, the archbishop said: “We appeal to the central government to grant citizenship to illegal immigrants based on each individual case and not on the basis on religion.
It is important that the government engages in a dialogue with those opposing the Act.”
Machado said he regretted “the polarisation of people” over CAA on religious lines. He said students looking to study are unable to do so due to the current climate at universities in the country.
“In general, we have accepted the Act. We are only asking for a small correction and that is to not make a distinction on the basis of religion. Violence is not a solution when there is a difference of opinion. It is necessary for the government to enter into dialogue with those opposing the Act and come to an agreement about the way forward with justice, equity and fairness. There is no harm in backtracking and changing course if necessary,” he said in the memorandum.
He said the Act “will make it difficult for certain sections of the population to prove their citizenship”. “This includes the poor and women, who have traditionally moved place with marriage.”
Speaking about the participation of students in the protests, he stated that institutions are places where students ‘come to study’.
“I have requested the police commissioner to give minimum security to our institutions, at the outset,” he said. “Most students are reacting not to the Act itself, but to what happened in (other) universities. It is our duty to protect students and ensure they study well. At the same time, students are grown-ups, they have their own wisdom to react in the way they want to.”
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